Flexure-interposer



Nov. 19, 1968 E. E. MASTERSON 3,411,709

FLEXURE-INTERPOSER Filed July 14, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. I

INVENTOR EARL E. MASTERSON ATTORNEY E. E. MASTERSON Nov. 19, 1968FLEXURE-INTERPOSER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR EARL E MASTERSON Filed July14, 1966 Nov. 19, 1968 E. E. MASTERSON FLEXURE- INTERPOSER 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 14. 1966 INVENTO)? 54 RL 5. msrmsou Fig. 4

E. E. MASTERSON Nov. 19, 1968 FLEXURE-INTERPOSER Filed July 14. 1966 5Sheets-Sheet E PCM-I m S R E R7 m MM M M E United States Patent3,411,709 FLEXURE-INTERPOSER Earl E. Masterson, Newtonville, Mass.,assiguor to Honeywell Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation ofDelaware Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 402,412, Oct. 8,1964. This application July 14, 1966, Ser. No. 565,309

19 Claims. (Cl. 234-115) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In aselectively-actuated bent-flexure interposer arrangement, theimprovement therewith of guide sheet means together with cooperativelyengaged stripper means, with the flexure being mounted on areciprocating bail and the stripper made a part thereof, these togetherwith such particular design improvements as: forming a set of flexuresfrom a single, .multi-fingered sheet; arranging opposed pairs ofinterposed/ guide sheet combinations on opposite sides of a single bail,together with symmetrically arranged pairs of stripper-feet; specifyingan inner guide as a continuous, bent sheet, notched to clear punches;prebending co-acting guide sheets together with their intermediateflexure-interposers to be clamped onto the bail with a U-clamparrangement; and dimpling the guide sheets to a prescribed flatness.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application, Ser. No.402,412, filed Oct. 8, 1964 and now issued as US. Patent No. 3,279,690.

The present invention relates in general to improved actuatorarrangements for selectively thrusting driven members; moreparticularly, it relates to flexible interposer means for selectivelytransmitting such thrust without involving abrading surfaces, such ascharacterize cams, rotary pivots and the like, and more especially tosuch means as associated with high speed punch elements for use withelectronic computer systems.

Although those skilled in the art will perceive that the improvedactuator arrangement of the invention is adaptable for many differentapplications, it will be described in an embodiment comprising anactuator/interposer arrangement in a high speed punch adapted toperforate computer records. The utility of this arrangement and theproblems it solves in this punch embodiment will evidently be applicablein other related embodiments. High speed computer punches must performrather complex operations at extremely high speeds and with unfailingaccuracy. Some serious drawbacks of such mechanisms are that they maketoo much noise, that they are not reliable enough and are too difficultto service. The present invention provides a non-impacting,non-frictional, combination actuator/interposer arrangement for suchpunches which markedly alleviates these problems. More particularly, theinvention eliminates the typical abrading-surface interposer components,such as cams, cam-followers, rotary pivots, etc. which tend to wear,thereby causing operational and servicing problems, especially at thehigh punching speeds required today. In so doing, the invention alsodispenses with lubricants, thus greatly simplifying service needs andalso avoiding the harmful aggregation of abrasive paper dust thattypically collects around punch lubricants.

Prior art punch apparatus has typically involved interposer means whichinclude an armature element to be solenoid-translated for effecting theactuation of selected punches, i.e. to coupling them with a drivingmeans. The considerable mass of conventional armature interposersobviously complicates the interposer (solenoid) power "ice requirementsand can severely limit the speed of operation. This is especially truewhen such armature elements are coupled with interconnecting mechanicallinkages, such as cams and the like. The interposer arrangement of theinvention greatly alleviates these problems by eliminating all rubbingparts, employing a simple flexure arranged to function both as anarmature and as a thrustlinkage. Workers in the art may be somewhatsurprised that such a simple, apparently fragile, spring element can, ofitself, perform these functions. Yet they will surely realize that in sodoing, the flex-ure spring interposed of the invention radically reducesthe mass, the complexity and the wear of interposer parts, and alsosimplifies fabrication and maintenance, etc. to an impressive extent, aswell as increasing the life of the interposer assembly. For instance, Ihave found that such interposer flexures can give billions of cycles ofreliable operationan extraordinary increase over the usual interposerlife; so much so that the interposer should likely outlast the overallpunch apparatus. Further, such a flexure interposer is not only veryeasy to actuate, it may readily be made self-restoring to return itselfwithout the need of restore means.

In yet another area, the invention has simplified the structure of priorart punch actuator arrangements, namely the area of timing andsynchronization of the interposer elements to be synchronously engagedwith the driving elements. Associated with this problem is that ofproviding fussy mechanical linkage between the interposers and theirassociated select means, the latter characteristically being spaced somedistance from the interposing area, between driving and driven means.Both of these problems have been greatly reduced by the simplificationeffected according to the invention whereby the interposer element ismounted directly upon the driving means, i.e. on the punch bail, to bereciprocated back and forth therewith, one end of the interposer thusbeing constantly coupled to the driving means and the other end thereofbeing free to be selectably positioned for driving engagement with itsassociated punch. According to a further simplification, the interposercomprises a common stamped multi-fingered flexure sheet clamped to thedriving bail in pre-flexing conforming contact with associated preflexedguide means. Thus, a common mounting and flexing means is provided formounting the interposer and associated guide means in constant contactwith the driving bail to be reciprocated therewith.

A further simplifying feature of the inventive interposer arrangement iseffected by fabricating inner and outer guide means associated with aset of such interposer flexures each from a single non-magnetic sheet.In the case of the inner punching guide, this sheet includes stiffeningterminal projections on the sheet, each projection extending adjacentthe thrusting end of each fiexure finger. Thus, each flexure finger inthe set is pre-flexed and guided along a common plane and at a commonflexed attitude. According to a further improvement feature, these guidesheets are dimpled so as to be easily fabricated to a high surfaceflatness as well as to provide less aerodynamic drag when engagedclosely against the associated flex-ure interposer sheet.

Yet a further simplifying feature is effected by mounting on the bail,in common with the aforementioned interposer assembly carried thereby, anovel stripper assembly arranged to be translated in common therewithand to both retract actuated punches as well as to space interposerguide means. It will be recognized that the stripper means must beactuated in precise synchronization with the punch bail and with theinterposer arrangement. This is customarily effected by restore rods,bar linkage, cams and the like, having the aforementioned unwantedabrading surfaces. According to the invention, mounting the strippermeans on the punch bail in common with the,

interposer assembly automaticaly effects such synchronization and avoidsphase-adjustments and the like. Such a bail-hung stripper alsosimplifies mounting problems, since by eliminating the usualpunch-restore apparatus surrounding the punches, it opens this area upfor nearaccess by interposer elements, such as the aforementionedflexure guides, interposer actuators and the like. Thus, a unitary punchactuating assembly is provided according to the invention, whereby theinterposer arrangements and the stripper arrangements are both mountedin common upon the punch bail to thus eliminate troublesome parts,simplify mounting problems and timing problems, provide access tointerposers, and the like. Such a stripper arrangement allows theaforementioned interposer improvements and cooperates advantageouslywith the selfrestoring flexture interposer.

According to a further feature of the invention, a flexure interposer,like that above-described, is provided which solves the two,somewhat-counter-vailing, requirements that such an interposer be toughand yet readily magnetizable. According to one embodiment, a magneticfiexure finger is provided with a hard wear-tip; moreover the finger isformed to, itself, comprise tough, elongate structural material alongwith softer ferromagnetic material. Another feature of the inventionprovides a modification of the punches associated with theaforementioned flexure interposer assembly whereby the punches may beprovided with tough, non-magnetic tips.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea combined interposer/ actuator arrangement which overcomes theforegoing disadvantages and provides the aforementioned and relatedfeatures. Yet another object is to provide such an interposerarrangement having reduced mass, fewer parts, and simplified design.

Yet a further object is to provide such an arrangement including flexureinterposer means, eliminating abrading surfaces and associatedlubrication and wear problems, while also simplifying fabrication andmaintenance requirements. Still another object is to provide such aninterposer means together with flexed guide means. Another object is toprovide such an arrangement incorporating a plurality of flexureinterposers fabricated from a common metal sheet to be attached to adrive means in common with associated pre-flexing guide sheet means.

Still another object is to arrange such interposer and guide means to bemounted in common upon a punch bail. Another object is to providestripper means projecting from said drive means.

Yet another object is to provide such an arrangement wherein the guidemeans for a imulti-interposer flexure sheet comprises a metal sheetclamped pre-flexingly upon a punch bail in common with said interposersheet. Still another object is to provide such an arrangement whereinsuch guide sheets are dimpled for simplified provision of high flatnessand reduced aerodynamic drag.

Yet another object is to provide such interposers comprised ofnonmagnetic structural portions together with magnetizable portionsformed to be integral therewith. Still another object is to provide suchan interposer arrangement in conjunction with associated punches wherebyengaging surfaces are formed of tough durable nonmagnetic material.

Further objects of the invention, together with the aforementioned andother features and advantages thereof, will become more apparent fromthe following detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote likeparts:

FIGURE 1 is an idealized perspective showing of high speed card punchembodiment of the present invention, some parts being omitted and somesimplified for clarity;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the arrangement in FIGURE 1 inthe up, or non-punching, phase;

FIGURE 3 is an isometric exploded view of one of the interposerassemblies of FIGURE 1 t g ther with associ- In general With referencenow to the drawings, the invention will be explained by way of anembodiment which implements an interposer arrangement for a two' column(12 punches per column) high speed serial punch apparatus. Thisarrangement, as best seen in FIGURE 1, is a combined interposer-actuatorunit A, shown in operative relation with a pair of associatedm-ulti-punch magnetic selection arrays ML, MR. Unit A includes a pair oflike multipunch interposer assemblies IL, IR, each being arranged todrivingly connect a driving means, in the form of a punch bail (bailframe H being shown) with selected punches in an associated aligned setof punches P, P (FIGURE 3). These elements, generally, implement thehigh speed serial punch, the functions of which are known and moreparticularly described in parent application, Ser. No. 402,412, referredto above. In essence, an eccentric drive shaft (not shown here) isarranged to rotate at high speeds (for instance, about 5,000 r.p.m.) soas to constantly reciprocate the bail (frame H) in a nearlylinearpunching motion, as understood in the art. This bail is preferablyflexure-coupled to the drive shaft and also is preferablyflexure-suspended from a mounting support, as indicated in theaforementioned application. Bail frame H includes a shaft-couplingheader portion ,I-IF. According to a feature of the invention, frame His arranged to be integral with a set of projecting, subtendedmulti-punch-pair stripper means com-prising stripper array ST (FIGURES1, 3).

Paired interposer assemblies IR, IL are mounted on bail H to berelatively symmetrical about stripper array ST. Assemblies IR, IL areidentical, each including a multi-fingered interposer flexure sheet 30,30' respectively (only 30 is shown in FIGURES l, 3), each finger 3thereof being arranged to be selectively positioned to drive anassociated one of punches P, P respectively when the latter is selected.In the illustrated punch unit, two columns or sets P, P of 12 puncheseach, are shown, being understood as actuable for selectively punchingassociated rows and columns in a passing computer record such as apunched card. It will be understood that the record medium is to bemoved in a conventional manner below the lower punch ends, as is 'wellunderstood in the art.

Thus, actuator unit A, being operatively arranged between left and rightmagnetic assemblies ML, MR, respectively, comprises a bail frame H, astripper assembly ST projecting integral therebelo-w and a pair of leftand right interposer assemblies IL, IR, respectively, the latter beingattached to H to be symmetrical about stripper assembly ST. Assembly MLis shown exploded laterally away from unit A only for illustrationpurposes. Thus, the left columnar row (set) of punches, P1 through P12,is disposed so that each punch may be selectively engaged for punchingactuation by an associated one of interposer flexure fingers 3-1 through3-12 respectively (only a portion being shown in FIGURE 3) of associatedinterposer flexure sheet 30 in left interposer assembly IL. Similarly,for companion set of punches P1 through P12, which are disposed inoperative relation with respective fingers 3'-1 through 3'-12 (notshown) of interposer flexure sheet 30 in right interposer assembly IR.

As seen in FIGURES 1 through 3, the stripper array when current-pulsed,are each adapted, as seen below, to substantially cancel out theaforementioned flexure-attracting permanent magnet flux from theirrespective pair of poles to selectively translate the associated flexurefinger to ON (punching) position. Thus, a bucking solenoid winding isprovided on each of upper pole pieces 27-1 through 27-12, namelywindings 27-31 through 27-312, respectively; while, similarly, on lowerpole pieces 29-1 through 29-12, windings 29-31 through 29- 312,respectively, are provided, as is best seen in FIG- URE 3. Select means(not shown) will be understood as provided to apply suflicient selectcurrent to each such pair of pole windings at times when the associatedflexure interposers are selected, i.e. to he released to ON for punchinga selected associated punch. The field generated by this current thusbucks, and cancels out, the corresponding permanent magnetic flux,releasing the preflexed, pre-biased flexure finger to be returned by itsnatural internal resilience to the ON or punch position. Punch positionis where the flexure engages the associated inner (punching) preform soas to be stiffened thereby while thrusting the associated punch throughthe record when carried down by bail H.

Thus, for example, when bail H is in UP (START) position of the punchingcycle thereof (i.e. at its upward extreme and ready to start downward ina new punching cycle), if the record were to be punched at the positionthereon under punch P'-2 (FIGURE 4), a punch-current (Select) signalwould then be applied through associated bucking coils 29'-32/27'-32 tooppose the permanent magnetic flux emanating from associated pole pieces29- 2/27'-2 and holding associated interposer finger 3'-2 in OFFposition, i.e. engaged against outer preform 1. In this OFF position,interposer 3'-2 is flexed a maximum and is biased to snap back againstinner preform 5' when released, thus bridging slot C'-2 therein as shownin FIGURE 4. Application of the aforesaid select-current signal soreleases interposer 3-2 to assume this ON position so that when bail Hnext descends the free tip IT of the interposer, as stiffened by preform5, will engage the head PP-2 of punch P'-2 to drive it down for punchingthat (selected) position in the record. When bail H, thereafter, ascendsto complete this punching cycle, the associated pair of stripper headssit-2, sh-3, engaged about head PP'-2 (in slots pg therein) will, ofcourse, return P-2 toward UP position for beginning the next punchcycle. Punch P-2 may be similarly selected in the next cycle; or it maybe not selected, in which latter case the permanent magnet field frompoles 29'-2/27'-2 will be allowed to retain flexure interposer 3'2 backin OFF position as indicated for interposer 3-1 in FIGURE 5.

Magnet 23 is comprised of a high retentivity, permanently magnetizedferromagnetic (high mu) material, while projecting pole pieces 27, 29are comprised of a low retentivity easily magnetizable material.According to a feature of the invention, magnetic assembly ML is alsoprovided with a flux-shunt 25, movably clamped between upper pole pieceset 27 and upper magnet pole 23-1 to be adjustably positionable betweenpoles 23-P, 23-PP to assume various flux-shunting positions therebetweenand establish a variable shunt-gap dy (shown full-open in FIGURE 1 andpartly closed in FIGURE 2). Thus, shunt 25 is a high permeability,low-reluctance material mounted fiux-couplingly between pole 23-P andpole piece set 27 while being set to return a variable portion of themagnetic flux from pole 23-P to magnet 23, this portion varyinginversely with the length of gap dy. Such shunted flux is prevented frompassing through, and between, paired ones of pole pieces 27, 29. Shunt25 thus adjusts the permanent magnet strength of the field emanatingfrom pole pieces 27, 29 and may control the force exerted thereby topull associated flexure fingers 3 into the OFF (no punch) position.Slots 25-S are provided in shunt 25 to accommodate clamp means forallowing this variable shunt positioning. As recognized by those skilledin the art, such an adjustable shunt is an extremely convenient meansfor adjusting the net magnetic force upon the interposer flexures andthus is convenient for standardizing the pull of the magnetic assemblies(MR, ML) either during fabrication or in the field, this makes themanufacturing tolerances and positioning tolerances less critical, bothfor assemblies ML, MR and for the overall actuator unit A. Of course,other equivalent (e.g. purely mechanical) means may be provided toperform these interposer-positioning functions of magnetic assembly ML.For instance, tiny cams might be mounted behind each flexure 3, on thebail, to translate it to OFF position selectively, in

advantageous location with the light, self-restoring flexure. It willalso be understood that magnetic assembly MR, arranged symmetrically onthe opposite side of actuator unit A and having similar parts (with samenumerals, but primed) is arranged identical to companion assembly MLdescribed above, MR being adapted to control the ON, OFF (punch,no-punch) positioning of associated interposer flexures 3 in thecorresponding interposer assembly IR.

Interposer Only one of the interposer assemblies, IL, will beparticularly described, it being understood that the companion assemblyIR is similarly constructed and arranged. Interposer assembly IL willfirst be generally described with respect to FIGURES l, 2 and 3, therebeing seen to comprise a thin, resilient, multi-fingered, interposerflexure sheet 30 surrounded by a pair of spaced inner and outer guidesheets 5, 1 respectively. A spacer 13 separates outer sheet 1 fromflexure sheet 30. According to a feature of the invention sheets 1, 30,5 are clamped together and conjunctively flexed (deflected) inwardlyagainst stripper ST between a pair of inner and outer clamp bars 7, 15respectively. Bar 15 is attached to bail H, as indicated moreparticularly in FIGURE 2. It will be generally understood thatinterposer sheet 30 comprises 12 interposer flexure fingers 3-1 through3-12 and is so disposed upon bail H that each of these fingers 3 may beengaged punchingly with an associated one of the punches (P-l throughP-12 respectively) when carried by bail H into the downward punchingphase of the punch cycle.

According to another feature, outer, non-punching preform sheet 1 (sheet1' similar) comprises a flexible, nonmagnetizable metal sheet adapted tobe deflected by clamp bars in a prescribed manner so the free endthereof is engaged guidedly along one side of all the stripper heads shas indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2. It is found that the magnetic flux fromthe pairs of pole pieces 27/29 is able to pass relatively unafl'ectedthrough the crosssection of such a sheet to attract associated ones offingers 3 there-toward. Preform 1 thus serves as a guiding stop for theset of interposer flexures 3-1 through 3-12 which, in the non-punching(OFF) positions thereof are held somewhat conformingly thereagainst andout of drivjing engagement with the associated (non-selected) punch whenbail H is depressed. Preform 1' is similarly related to associatedflexures 3'-1 through 3-12. This conforming contact is indicated inFIGURE 5 for nonpunching flexure 3-1, the latter being pulled by thepermanent magnetic flux from associated poles 29-1/27-1 to curve againstpreform 1. Such conformed flexing of sheet 1 allows it to contact aflexure finger 3 very smoothly and evenly along its vertical lengthwithout distorting it, stressing it, shearing it, or vibrating it (nobounce).

So forming the outer preform of a single integral sheet for guiding aset of interposer flexure fingers is obviously convenient. Moreover, thesolid sheet was found surprisingly effective in transmitting magneticflux from magnet assembly ML to the fingers, where it had been supposedpreviously that flux-notches in the sheet were required for this.Avoiding such notching of preform I obviously strengthens it, as well assimplifying its fabrication. However, one or several holes, such as hole1-11 in sheet 1 (FIGURE 3) may be provided to view the tips of adja- STprojects integrally from frame H to comprise a central body portion ofactuator unit A and includes a plurality of stripper extension STlthrough ST13, each terminating in an enlarged head portion sh. Adjacentpairs of heads sh are adapted to engage opposite sides of respectivepaired punches, as seen hereinbelow. Stripper extensions ST1 throughST13 are separated by prescribed cut-out slots SC1 through SC-12fashioned to be just about wide enough to admit an associated pair ofpunches therealong, such as paired punches P1, P'1 in slot SC-l (FIGURE4). As detailed in FIGURE 4 stripper heads sh are engaged alongassociated slots pg formed along opposite sides of each punch. Slots pgare arranged so that heads sh may travel therealong and may engage theupper limit thereof just after punching is completed, i.e. when bail Hhas bottomed in its downward thrust, the unselected punches being heldup (by retainer meanssee below) while heads sh begin to return theselected punches as bail H returns upwardly. Thus, a surrounding pair ofconfronting heads sh will engage a punch after it has bottomed toretract it (strip it) and return it to the unactuated (or Up positionshown in FIGURE 2), being thus automtically returned upward with bail H.

Punches As is somewhat conventional in the art, punches P are aligned inprescribed lateral positions by guiding bores in a die means D, so as tobe drivenly engaged by respective ones of flexure fingers 3-1 etc.Punches P are also arranged to be maintained in the aforementioned Up,or rest, position when not selected, being so maintained by retainermeans (SP, FIGURE 2) engaged therewith. More particularly, as FIGURE 2shows, a retainer flexure spring SP is provided in a slot ps in eachpunch P, for instance, spring SP-l being provided for punch P-l, springSP'1 for companion punch P'-1, etc. Slots ps have their upper limitsoffset between paired punches (those in punches P offset from those inpunches P) to allow associated retainer spring SP, SP to be similarlyoffset, and non-interfering, while projecting from a common base. Theupward thrust of these retainer springs may be stoplimited to establisha prescribed up-plane R-R (FIG- URES 2, 5) for the tops thereof, justbelow the driving interposer flexures 3, and out of engagementtherewith. A simple stop means as indicated at stop bar SX (FIG- URE 2)projects from the rigid frame to efifect this, being stoppingly engagedby the lower end of stop grooves ps of paired punches along a commonplane. Thus, slots ps will be of different lengths to accommodate thedifferent engaging position for retainer springs SP. SP, yet terminatedalong a common plane by stop SX. As those skilled in the art willappreciate, other equavalent retainer and stop means may be provided.

Each punch is also provided with a magnet MG for punch vertificationpurposes. Magnets MG comprise permanently magnetized material carried bythe punches and adapted to be brought operatively adjacent an associatedverification detector PCM when the punch is properly driven to itsmaximum bottoming excursion (down position). Thus, by sensing thepresence of the magnets, each detector PCM provides a vertifyingindication that its associated punch has perforated the record.

Punches P are comprised of tool steel or other tough metal. Preferably,the top portions PT of punches P are separately fabricated to comprise ahigh durability, wearresistant, non-magnetic material, such as Stellite(trade name), and are afiixed, such as by welding or the like, to themain shank portion of the punch. This provides a durable,impact-resistant tip for driven engagement with the associated flexureinterposer finger. This tip material is also specified as non-magneticto prevent false punch-translations (explained below), i.e. not to becarried downward to activate detector PCM when bail H descends ifthe-punch is not selected. Such may occur if a punch becomes magnetizedand is magnetically attracted CFl to follow a moving magnetized part.For instance, stripper heads sh may become magnetized by the adjacentfields from the magnetic assemblies MR, ML, etc. and, in turn, mightattract an adjacent punch tip to follow them toward the down position.It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such falsetranslations of a nonselected punch P are intolerable; for instance,they interfere with the transport of a passing record and also caninduce a false punch echo (punch verification signal) from detector PCM.In this connection, it will also be appreciated that stripper projectionST, including stripper arms ST-l through ST13 and associated heads sh,is preferably comprised of a non-magnetic, preferably demagnetized, toolsteel or the like so as to be tough and strong, and yet retain nomagnetization such as might falsely translate one of the punches, asaforesaid.

Magnetic selection FIGURES 1 and 3 show the environment in whichinterposer assemblies IL, IR are arranged, being clamped on bail H to besymmetrical about stripper assembly ST, and also to be symmetricallysurrounded by the left and right magnetic assemblies (ML, MR,respectively). Leftward magnetic assembly ML includes an elongate,strongly magnetized, permanent bar magnet 23 enclosed in a non-magnetic(preferably aluminum) casing 21 to which upper and lower sets of polepieces, 27, 29, respectively, are attached. Magnet 23 comprises astrongly ferromagnetic material and includes a pair ofopposite-polarity, upper and lower projecting poles 23P, 23PP,respectively. Upper and lower sets of pole pieces 27, 29, respectively,comprise a number of vertically-paired, low-reluctance, flux-conductingmembers mounted on casing 21 so as to be in operative flux-conductingrelation with upper and lower magnet poles 23-P, 23PP, respectively.Lower pole pieces 29 comprise fourteen spaced, relatively identical,projections 29-0 through 2913 (a portion being shown in FIGURE 3 aswell), all cantilevered out relatively orthogonal from lower magnet pole23PP to be reatively orthogonal to the vertical bail (driving) axis V.Similarly, upper pole pieces 27 comprise a set of fourteen projections270 through 27-13, all cantilevered out from upper magnet pole 23P atthe same oblique angle, being also oblique to axis V. Casing 21,preferably aluminum, is adapted to direct the flux from magnet 23 topole pieces 27, 29.

Upper pole pieces 27 thus extend downwardly toward a corresponding oneof the lower pole pieces 29 to be verticaly registered therewith, thusforming fourteen identical pole pairs. Each of the twelve in board polepairs 27-1/29-1 through 27-12/29-12 are thus disposed so that each pairmay project a permanent magnet flux somewhat normally toward therespective one of the twelve magnetic interposer flexure fingers 31through 312 with which it is operatively associated, being spacedtherefrom in opposing flux-coupled relation. Thus, each such pole paircan attract (and repel) a corresponding flexure toward (and away from)themselves, out of (and into) the thrust-transmitting, ON position (andthe OFF, or no-punch, position). These ON/OFF positions are indicatedfor flexures 3'2/3'-3, respectively, in FIGURE 4 and 31/31 in FIGURE 5.The two outboard pole pairs of assembly ML, namely pole pairs 270/29-0and 27-13/29-13 (FIGURE 3) are not operatively associated with anyinterposer flexure, but are provided (as detailed below) to help balancethe magnetic fluid for the outboard flexures, 31, 312 respectively, incooperation with the outboard strippers ST-l, ST-13. As shown, all thepole pairs (27-0/29-0 through 27-13/2913) are normally set to apply fluxfrom permanent magnet 23 to pull flexure fingers 3-1 through 3-12 towardthemselves, i.e. to be set normally OFF. The twelve inboard,interposer-actuating, pole pairs are also each provided with a buckingsolenoid iwinding about each (upper and lower) pole piece. These windingpairs,

cent interposer fingers (e.g. 3-1) for alignment thereof relative thetops of associated punches.

Similarly, inner punch preform may be comprised of a flexible,non-magnetizable metal sheet adapted to be deflected between calmps 7,15 against the side of stripper ST with flexure sheet 30 bendinglyengaged relatively coplanar and conformingly thereagainst, thusestablishing a pre-flexed static condition thereof. Flexure fingers 3are thus spring-biased to be urged into the ON position. The free end ofpreform 5 may be slightly beveled (surface S-F, FIGURE 4) for flatter,low pressure engagement against the stripper. Punch preform 5 isbelieved to function as a preformed deflected beam curved to provide aprescribed stiffening reinforcement of associated interposer fingers 3,extending coextensive therewith almost to their tip so as to preventthem from buckling when thrust against an associated punch. However,with sheet 5 so disposed just above the tops of associated punches P-lthrough P-12, it becomes necessary to provide for clearing such puncheswhen they are non-selected since sheet 5 is carried down therepast withbail H during punching phase (FIGURE 5). Thus, a set of 12 clearancecutouts, C-1 through C-12, (FIGURES 3, 4) are provided at this free endof sheet 5, each being disposed and dimensioned to clear" an associatedpunch. Thus, cutouts C-1, etc. are slightly wider than the enlargedpunch heads PP and are cut deeply enough to admit heads PP when bail H,with attached interposer assembly IL, descends to its bottom-most (Down)position. Punch phase (or Down position) is indicated in FIGURE 5 wherenonselected punch P-1 (head PP-l thereof) is indicated as having entereda corresponding cutout C-l in punch preform 5. Sheet 5 may thus bestamped out to include cutouts C. Companion inner preform 5' issimilarly formed and related to flexures 3'1 through 3'-12.

Preferably, the flexure fingers are arranged to be sufliciently wide tobridge associated ones of cutouts C (but little wider), beingdimensioned to overlap successive ones of the lands therebetween andthus be guided on both sides. Thus, the fingers will be somewhat widerthan associated punch heads (cf. FIGURE 4) which must fit within thecutouts.

Thus, according to a feature of the invention, a set of flexureinterposers associated with a row of punches, as well as the associatedinner and outer preforms therefor, are each formed from a singleflexible metal sheet, the sheets being mounted in common upon the punchbail and being clamped there to be pro-flexed in common (biased) in acommon integral bending arrangement. The outer preforms (1,'1') may beformed to comprise a sheet about 3.125 by 2.359 inches with a thicknessof 1820 mils found satisfactory for this embodiment. Both pairs ofpreforms (1, 1, 5, 5) are formed from a non-magnetic material having ahigh degree of flatness (at least adjacent the interposer sheets 30,including fingers 3, 3 which are also very flat) being about twice thethickness of sheets 30, 30'. For instance, a flatness in theneighborhood of 0.003 TIR- has been found acceptable. It is preferred inthis embodiment to make inner preforms 5, *5 about 25 mils thick andouter preforms 1, 1' about 19 mils thick. Evidently, the preforms (1',1, 5', 5) must be somewhat thicker than the interposer sheets 30, 30' toexhibit somewhat more stiffness. Sheets 30, '30- will be magnetizable,light and highly resilient. For instance, it may preferably be aboutmils thick, with spacers 15, about the same. Sheets 30, 30' may comprise1010 cold-rolled steel or blue spring (1095) high-carbon steel, or'otherhard non-magnetic steel and will also include ferromagnetic material,inserted therein or clad thereon, as indicated below with respect toFIGURE 4.

Workers in the art will appreciate many advantages from mounting theinterposer assemblies IR, IL on the bail H. One such advantage is thatthe stripper ST may project from bail H to guide interposer elements,yet with no rubbing between these members at any time. Moreover, thestripper heads sh and the surface of the stripper body may also act toposition the preform guides.

Dimpling According to another feature of the invention, indicated inFIGURES 3 and 6, preforms 1, 5 (1, 5' similar) are dimpled to present anarray of small similar protrusions (e.g. DP) on the surfaces thereoffacing the intermediate flexure sheet 30. Protrusions DP are to bespaced relatively homogeneously across sheets 1, 5 to define a flatengaging plane conforming with the rather precisely-flat sheet 30. Suchdimpling has been shown in FIGURE 3 but not in FIGURES 1 and 2. Thisdimpling, or heading, of the preform surface is quite simple to providein a number of ways; for instance, it may readily be stamped therein.One of the important advantages of such a dimpling is that it greatlysimplifies the task of forming preforms 1, 5 to a very high, repeatableflatness, such flatness being required for proper guiding conformingengagement between the preform sheets and interposer sheet 30. Forinstance, a preform might typically be formed with some flatnessdiscontinuities (e.g. warping, low spots, protuberances, etc.). Flatnesswould conventionally 'be provided by expensive, complicated buffing,polishing, etc. treatments. By contrast, this may be provided bydimpling according to the invention. Thus. simply squeezing the preformin a dimple press and then flat-pressing the raised (dimpled) referencesurface can produce a flat engaging plane across the top of the dimpleswhich has a remarkable flatness, such as to within 0.001 to 0.002 TIRflatness. As described below (regarding FIGURE 6) this dimpling enablesthe flattening press to selectively depress the dimples to a greater orless degree according to whether their locus on the preform surfaceconstitutes a high spot or a low spot, respectively. To achieve such ahigh flatness, and so conveniently, was highly advantageous andunexpected.

Another important advantage results from such dimpling. When aninterposer sheet (e.g. 30) is pressed intimately against a preform, bothsurfaces being flat and conforming, parting forces which tend toseparate the two surfaces, e.g. the select, solenoid field, will tend atleast initially to establish a partial vacuum therebetween which resiststhis parting. Such a drag obviously slows down and obstructs inter-poseractuation. It has been found that when the interposer flexure is engagedagainst a preform having dimples as aforementioned, this aero dynamicdrag is radically reduced. The dimpling evidently assures a constantminimum air pressure at the interface of the parting surfaces to resistcreation of such a vacuum and thus alleviate any substantial air drag.This makes interposer translation both quicker and easier.

FIGURE 6 is an idealized, purely illustrative, sectional view through afragment of the dimpled outer preform sheet 1 in FIGURE 3, being takenacross a pair of annular dimples therein. FIGURE 6 is provided simply togenerally describe how such a dimpled surface may preferably be formedand used. This view is enlarged and rather exaggerated, indicating asomewhat exaggeratedly-uneven engaging surface of preform 1, forillustration purposes. Sheet 1 will be understood as having beenprovided with a plurality of like, pre-stamped dimples DP, DP, etc.distributed uniformly across its surface. Each dimple comprises a cavity(117, 107) surrounded by an annular mounding, or protrusion, (111, 101,respectively), these being formed, for instance, by pressing acorresponding array of like projecting studs against surface 100. Theseprotrusions (101, 111 etc.) will thus project above the engaging surface(100, Le. on the side thereof which engages interposer sheet 30). Thispressing is such as to produce thesurface mounding which raises annuli(111, 101, etc.) surrounding the associated cavity and, in some cases,also produces a slight rise in the surface opposite the cavities(indicated at mounds 115, 105). However, the latter mounds will in mostcases not result if the sheet is properly bottomed against a flatreference surface during dimpling. In any case, the mounds are notproblematical since it is the engaging face 100 of the preform sheetthat must be dimpled and flattened.

Assume that plane FF represents a reference engagement plane of aprecisely prescribed flatness to be effectively presented by surface 100of sheet 1 for optimum engagement with interposer sheet 30 and fingers 3thereof. It will readily be appreciated that a flat press surface ofhigh prescribed flatness may now be depressed against protrusions 111,101, etc. until all the tops thereof register along plane FF. Plane FFis defined to engage all protrusions so as to flatten them all to somedegree, depending upon the flatness of their locus on surface 100.Protrusions 111 etc. when flattened will be made to deform and flowoutward, e.g. somewhat into the associated cavity (e.g. 111 into 117).With dimples DP etc. so flattened along reference plane F-F, sheet 1will then present a very flat engaging surface for mating withinterposer sheet 30, this surface comprising the flattened tops of anarray of somewhat-depressed annular protrusions 111, 101, etc. whichrelatively precisely register along reference plane FF, having theprecise flatness desired. The ease, and yet the precision, of so forminga flat engaging surface will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.Preforms 5, 1' and 5' may, of course, be similarly dimpled.

Clamp According to another feature of the invention, the three sheetscomprising interposer IL (IR is similar), namely flexure sheet 30 andpreform sheets 1, 5 are clamped together to be deflected in a commonprescribed manner with respect to the surface of bail H, and especiallyof stripper portion ST, thereof. As best seen in FIGURE 2, this clampingmeans preferably comprises an inner clamp bar adapted to be aflixed onbail H (such as with bolts along terminal fiat portions), the centralsheet-engaging portion of bar 15 being beveled to a prescribed angle awith respect to the surface of bail H (axis V) sufliciently to establishthe prescribed deflecting of preforms 5, 1, as detailed below. Thiscentral portion of bar 15 also preferably includes a central groove15-G, extending longitudinally therealong, being, for instance, a fewmils deep. Outer clamp 7 is provided to attach the sheets to thiscentral portion of bar 15, such as with bolts in the registering borestherethrough, as indicated in FIGURE 3. Clamp 7 is provided with alongitudinal grove 7-G adapted to be in relatively close registrationwith groove 15G when clamp 7 is attached to bar 15. These grooves locatea constant deflection zone, along axis TT (FIGURE 2), for bending thepreforms and interposer sheet from a fixed point thereon to therebyguarantee a prescribed uniform flexing thereof despite variations in thesurface flatness, the coupling mode, etc. along the clamping surfaces ofbars 7, 15. Such variations can easily occur in the fabrication ofdifferent interposer units and might vary the flexing action, and thusthe operation, of the interposer assemblies from unit to unit.

Outer clamp bar 7 is also provided with a pair of locating pins lp(FIGURE 3) adapted to be inserted through registering bores (not shown)through the sheets and companion bar 15 for quick, accurate relativepositioning thereof prior to securing them together. Spacer 13, betweenouter preform 1 and interposer sheet has a width close to that of sheet30 (the drawing is not to scale) and is provided to establish sufficientspacing therebetween so that fingers 3-1 etc of sheet 30 may clear anassociated punch P-1 etc. when the former are in the OFF (no punch)position. It has further been found that clearances d (1 between outerpreforms 5 and upper and lower pole pieces (27, 29, respectively) may besomewhat close to the width of the interposer sheet 30, for instance,being about 16 mils here.

F Iexure characteristics FIGURE 4 will be seen to supplement FIGURES 1through 3, showing a portion of right interposer assembly IR (IL issimilar) in illustrative operating relation with associated portions ofstripper ST and respective punches. It will be here assumed that theentire assembly is in Bailup phase where the punches and flexureinterposer fingers are all disengaged. Thus, those punches that punchedin the preceding cycle will be understood as having just been returnedto Up position by the stripper. The punches are all understood as beingretained Up, offset above stripper heads sh a prescribed clearance (e.g.about 4 mils) by the retainer means (e.g. springs sp) as aforesaid. Thepunches thus present their top surfaces aligned along a prescribedUp-plane R-R (FIG- URE 2) by stop means SX (above). Plane R-R isarranged to be spaced below the engaging tips of the interposer flexures3, 3' a prescribed amount (gap d here about 10 mils). With thisarrangement, there will be no appreciable impact between an interposerflexure and the associated punch head when the two are engaged sinceengagement will occur very close to the top of the bail stroke whererelative velocity (along V axis) is close to zero. Thus, a gentle,smooth engagement of interposer with punch is achieved, something verydesirable in the art. For illustration purposes, it will also beunderstood that one of the interposer flexures (3-3) is nonselected,i.e. has been pulled out of punch position and into no-punch position(from ON to OFF position, as indicated by the arrow) where it may clear(not engage) associated punch P'3 when the bail/stripper mountsupporting it begins to descend for the next punch cycle. On the otherhand, flexures 31, 3'2 are seen selected, i.e. allowed to snap to ONposition by select-current fields. As aforesaid, punches P are indicatedas having separately formed heads PT of a high durability, non-magneticmaterial welded thereon.

FIGURE 4 also illustrates a modification of the interposer flexurestructure whereby flexures 3 (companion flexures 3 would be similar) arefabricated in a compound structure having a tough, durable, resilientstructural portion I-A (e.g. of a hard spring steel) and a high mu,ferromagnetic (e.g. soft iron) portion IB, bonded intimately to portionIA. For instance, it has been found that cold-rolling such a sheet ofsoft iron onto a sheet (high carbon) blue spring steel under highpressure can molecularly bond the two together into a satisfactorycompound interposer flexure. These layers must be very intimately bondedso that, when flexed, they deflect as a substantially integral beamelement, without experiencing any appreciable internal stresses, such asdifferent shear stresses which might tend to part the layers, especiallyat the clamping point. In an alternate form, the flexures may comprise athree-part sandwich having a pair of outer spring steel sheavesmolecularly-bonded to an intermediate ferromagnetic iron layer. It hasbeen found that the mechanical strength and durability of compoundflexures so fabricated is improved without sacrificing any appreciablemagnetic-attraction characteristics. Workers in the art will visualizeother equivalent ways of providing these two different materials in sucha composite interposer flexure.

According to another feature which may be used either instead of, ortogether with, the aforementioned multi-layer construction of flexures3, 3 is the provision of a wear tip IT on the free end of the flexurefingers to be engaged with the top of a respective punch as FIG- URE 4shows. More particularly, it has been found that welding a relativelythin layer of wear material, such as Stellite, onto the tips ofinterposers 3, 3' and thereafter machining, or otherwise forming, thesetips to conform to the desired precise dimensions, squareness, etc.

reduces the likelihood of abrading wear thereof by the punch. Such wearis especially troublesome in tending to make the tips non-square so thatthey engage the top of a respective punch unevenly. Such obliqueengagement can quickly lead to misaligned punching actuation and alsoaccelerate the further wear of the two parts, e.g. by gouging out of thetop of the punch because of the reduced engaging area, etc.

Interposer operation FIGURE is somewhat similar to FIGURE 2 showingroughly the same cross-sectional area, but at a different phase in thepunch cycle, that is, at the punching (or bail-down) phase of the cycle,where FIGURE 2 illustrates res phase (Bail up). FIGURE 5 illustratesselected? and non-selected interposers and punches. Thus, interposer 31is seen in the selected (interposed, punch-thrusting) condition, as isassociated punch '-1. Conversely, companion interposer 3-1 is seen inthe non-selected (non-interposed) condition, and assor ated punch P-1 isnon-selected and non-punching.

The interposed assemblies are seen here arranged symmetrically aboutcentral bail H and stripper frame ST projecting therefrom as in FIGURES1-4 above. Initial stripper head sh-l is shown engaged with outerpreforms 1, 1' to space and flex them properly. Inner preform 5' is seenas guiding interposer 3-1 to thrust associated punch P'1 downwardsuflicient to effect punching, bail H and stripper ST having bottomed atthe punching phase in this driving cycle. Selected flexure interposer3'-1 is thus understood to be in conformed, guiding, stiffeningengagement against preform 5'. The magnetic interposer-select means isfragmentarily indicated by lower pole pieces 29, 29 and their associatedsolenoids 29-31, 29'-31 respectively. It will be understood thatselection of flexure 3'-1 was effected by effectively nullifying thepull of the permanent magnet flux from associated pole pieces 27'1,29'-1, thus preventing these from pulling flexure 3-1 into non-selected(OFF) position against outer preform 1'. As aforesaid, this is done byapplying a select current pulse through coils 29'-31, 27'31. Theresultant bucking (select) field thus releases flexure 31 to returnitself into engagement against inner preform 5'. The pre-flexing of theinterposer flexures assures this self-return action. On the other hand,companion flexure 3-1 will be seen as pulled outwardly againstassociated outer preform 1 by the permanent magnet flux from associatedpole pieces 27-1, 29-1, there evidently being no bucking (select) fieldfrom associated solenoids 29-31, 27-31. Thus, flexure 3-1 is kept clearof punch head PP-I of associated punch P-l when it is depressed with theball assembly, as shown in this punching phase. Head PP-1 avoids contactwith inner preform 5 by riding up into the associated slot C-l thereinprovided for this, as indicated. It will further be appreciated thatnon-selected punch 3-1 will be maintained in this UP condition (byretainer spring sp), being ready, when the bail assembly has returnedupwardly, to begin the nextpunching cycle. However, selected punch P'1will be there while engaged in stripper grooves pg, by associatedsurrounding stripper heads sh-1, sh-2 (sliding along these grooves) andwill be returned to the up position for beginning the next cycle. Itwill be recognized that it is thus a feature of the invention that themagnetic interposer selecting means are relatively failsafe, in that,being held normally-off, they are less likely to produce erroneouspunching, e.g. as might occur if no punc pulses were required to clearthe interposers and failed to occur.

The features of the above-described improved interposer arrangements maybe summarized as follows, with particular referencev to FIGURES 2 and 5.As aforesaid, a feature of the invention is that the interposer flexuresdo double duty, serving both as the armature of the selecting solenoidmeans and as the mechanical interposer linkage. Furthermore, thislinkage function is provided without any abrading parts and with asmall, compact, lowmass unit. Each row of interposers may be consideredas being clamped between a pair of relatively stiif (preform) guidemeans, the overall assembly being mounted on the stripper-bail frame sothat these guide means are preformed into a prescribed flexed curvatureand carry the interposer flexure with them to be similarly pre-flexed.Thus, in the non-punching position an interposer will be held againstthe outer preform so that it cannot engage the top of the associatedpunch. When bail-stripper ST is in Up phase, starting a punch drivingcycle, selected interposer flexures are released to snap into engagementwith the inner preform where as the down stroke of the bail begins, theymay engage the top of the associated punch as to thrust them punchingly.As the punching load is applied and stripper ST thrusts downwardly,toward the die D and the perforatable record therebeneath, the thinselected interposers transmit this thrust to respective punches smoothlyand firmly, being reinforced and stiffened by the inner preform. Thedeflected, guided flexures thus react like a rigid column to transmitthe required punching force without buckling. Since both the preformsand the flexures have a common point of attachment (to bail H) there canbe no relative sliding motion or resultant abrasion, etc. between themand therefore no relative wear.

The deflected beam preforms 1, 5 are a feature of the invention thatprovides convenience as well as efiiciency since they avoid the fussymanufacturing problems that would be inherent in providing the bailframe with contoured guide surfaces. That is by deflecting preforms 1, 5in common with their associated intermediate flexure interposer, a pairof guiding, conformingly contoured surfaces is automatically provided.

Since the interposer assemblies IL, IR are carried by reciprocating bailassembly and since selection is performed magnetically, the relativemotion and abrasion which normally exists in prior art machines betweenthe reciprocating and fixed members is eliminated, as is any resultantwear. The interposers, being held in a normally non-punching position bya permanent magnet field, move to punch position in a snap-flexingaction because of their initial flexing pre-load, doing so, of course,when the (bucking) releasing field is applied from associated solenoidcoils. Translation of the interposer from non-punching to punchingposition will be understood to occur at the top of the up-down stroke ofthe bail when a clearance is established between the punch and theinterposer, for instance, when the punches are in the condition shown inFIGURE 4. Thus, the punch selecting interposer system of the inventionhas only one moving part, and that part a simple flexure means which hasno sliding, abrasive pivoting or impacting motions. No prior artinterposer system is known which can claim these highly desirablecharacteristics.

Equivalent interposer systems may be provided according to the inventionfor other actuator arrangements where the selectable actuation of drivenmembers is accomplished by selectable coupling thereof with a drivingflexure member. Such systems may be provided for the actuation of printhammers in a high speed computer printer apparatus or the like.Equivalent interposer means and selection means will occur to thoseskilled in the art.

While in accordance with the provisions of the patent law, the above hasillustrated and described preferred forms of the invention and theirmodes of operation, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made in the apparatus described without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims, and that, in some cases, certain features of the invention maybe used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features andcertain features may be changed or substituted for, equivalently, asappreciated by those skilled in the art.

Having now described the invention and what is claimed as new anddesired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a card punch unit, a bail including inner guide surface means andcorresponding outer limit guide surface means facing said inner surfacemeans and spaced therefrom; elongated interposer flexure means disposedbetween said surface means and having a rest position in flexiblyconforming contact with said inner surface means; translate meansarranged to selectively move said flexure means into flexibly-conformingcontact with said limit guide surface means; drive means adapted toreciprocate said bail periodically to drive said flexure means in alengthwise direction jointly with said bail and said guide means; punchmeans disposed in alignment with said flexure means only when the latteris in said rest position, said punch means being adapted to be drivenfrom its normal position by said aligned flexure means when the latterapproaches one extreme of said reciprocation, but remaining in saidnormal position when said flexure means makes contact with said limitguide surface means; said bail further including stripper meansextending lengthwise therebeyond toward said punch means, said punchmeans including recess means adapted to be engaged by said strippermeans to return said punch to its normal position when said bailapproaches the opposite extreme of said reciprocation; said strippermeans being engaged in cooperative relation with said outer limit guidesurface means.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein said inner guidesurface means comprises a pair of concave contoured guide sheetsdisposed in back-to-back relationship, pre-deflected, against said bailand convergingly toward one another; wherein said flexure meanscomprises two sets of elongated, spaced interposer flexures positionedbetween one of said pairs of guide surface means, said flexures having arest position in flexibly conforming contact with a corresponding one ofsaid inner guide surface means; wherein said punch means comprises twosets of spaced punches, each set being aligned with one of said flexuresets, each of said punches being adapted to be driven from a normalposition by an associated one of said flexures approaching one extremeof said reciprocation when said flexure is in contact with saidcorresponding inner guide sheet, but remaining in said normal positionwhen said associated flexure makes contact with the oppositelypositioned limit guide surface means; and wherein said bail furtherincludes a central extension terminating in stripper means positioned toengage said recess means in said punches intermediate thereof to returnsaid punches to their normal position when approaching the other extremeof said reciprocation; said outer guide surface means comprising a pairof deflected outer guide sheets, each of said sheets being clamped anddeflected, at one end, in common with a corresponding one of said innerguide sheets, against one side of said bail with a corresponding set ofsaid flexures therebetween, said outer sheets being engaged at the otherend with said stripper means for prescribed spacing thereof from saidassociated punches.

3. In a data processing punch apparatus, a bail adapted to impart adrive thrust periodically along a prescribed drive path; at least onepair of inner and outer guide means clamped in common, at a first endthereof to a first portion of said bail to be commonly deflected; theother end of said inner guide means being deflected to engage a secondportion of said bail; stripper means projecting from said bailrelatively along said path to engage the other end of said outer guidemeans positioningly for spacing thereof a prescribed amount from saidcorresponding other end of said inner guide means, each said guide meanscomprising a planar spring member; an elongate interposer flexure meansclamped at a first end thereof between each said pair of guide meansagainst said first bail portion and deflected in common therewith so asto normally assume a prescribed first deflected condition inflexibly-conforming engagement relatively coextensive along saidassociated inner guide means; flexure actuation means disposedoperatively adjacent each said flexure means adjacent the other free,end thereof associated outer guide means, said actuation means beingadapted to attract said free end away from said inner guide means into asecond condition to be engaged with said outer guide means; and alsobeing adapted to selectably release said free end from said outer guideengagement to automatically return to said first condition; drive meansfor reciprocating said bail, with said guide means and said flexuremeans carried thereon between a first extreme rest position and a secondextreme punching position, and punch means disposed in registry withsaid free end of each of said flexure means only when the latter hasassumed said first condition, said punch means being adapted to bedriven by said respective flexure means for perforating a record mediumin a prescribed manner when said bail approaches said punching position,said punch means also including stripper recess means adapted to be soengaged by said stripper means for return of said punch means after saidperforating, conjunctively with return of said bail to said restposition; each said punch means comprising a row of punches; whereineach said flexure means comprises a set of flexure strips, each stripbeing operatively aligned with a respective one of said punches; whereineach of said guide means comprises a curved metal sheet; pairs of saidsheets being clamped and deflected in common with one another and with arespective set of flexure strips therebetween against said bail; andwherein clamp means is also provided and for each said pairs of guidemeans and intermediate flexure strips, each 'said clamp means includingat least one relatively narrow, engaging surface arranged to secure aprescribed portion of said associated guide means and intermediateflexure strips against said respective first bail portion so as to thusestablish a prescribed common bending axis therefor.

4. Apparatus for controlled, synchronous selectively reciprocation ofprescribed driven means, said apparatus comprising: reciprocating framemeans; elongate deflected guide means; elongate flexible interposermeans clamped and deflected in common with said guide means against saidframe means so that relatively similar deflected curvatures are inducedtherein; said guide means being so engaged against said interposer meansas to deflect it relatively smoothly along a prescribed couple path,along said interposer means may selectively thrust said driven means;translation means for displacing said interposer means out of said pathand out of said driving relation with said driven means; and returnmeans projecting from said frame means to be reciprocated therewith,said return means projected from said frame means and adapted to engagesaid driven means for returning thereof after said thrusting to completesaid controlled selective reciprocation thereof; said return means beingarranged in cooperative relation with said guide means.

5. The combination as recited in claim 4 wherein said reciprocatingframe means includes drive means adapted to translate said frame meansalong a prescribed thrust path between a prescribed rest and aprescribed fully-actuated position; wherein said driven means comprise apair of reciprocable recording element :arrays and said interposer meansand associated guide means comprise two opposed arrays thereof, eacharranged in operative relation with a respective one of said recordingelement arrays; wherein said recording elements :are each arranged to beselectively thrust along a respective driven path, when coupled withsaid driving means by said interposer means; wherein each saidinterposer array comprises an aligned set of elongate flexure strips,each strip being aligned for such selectively coupling engagement with arespective one of said recording elements as said frame means approachessaid fully-actuated position, each said flexure strip having aprescribed asymmetric cross-sectional resilience so as to be relativelystiff except along the thickness dimension thereof, and also beingclamped upon said frame means so as to be flexed inwardly thereagainstwhereby the free end thereof is presented adjacent said respectivedriven element to present said thickness dimension along a prescribedtranslation direction relatively normal to said driven path; and whereinsaid translation means is adapted to selectively displace said ends ofnonselected ones of said flexure strips along said direction into anon-thrusting condition, away from said couple path-guide means, for aprescribed period, after which said flexure means will re-assume saidcouple path alignment, said couple path connecting said thrust path witha respective one of said driven paths.

6. The combination as recited in claim 4 wherein said driven meanscomprise at least one set of aligned recording elements; wherein saidinterposer means comprise a set of flexure means provided for each setof recording elements; and wherein said guide means comprise a singledeflected guide sheet member provided for each set of flexure means fordeflection thereof in common so that each one thereof is aligned alongsaid associated couple path for thrusting .a respective one of saidelements.

7. The combination as recited in claim 6 wherein each said set offlexure means comprises a set of spring strips projecting from a commonspring sheet engaged against said associated guide sheet member.

8. The combination as recited in claim 7, wherein said translation meansincludes magnetic translation means; and wherein each said flexure stripis arranged to be of compound, flexible and ferromagnetic construction;wherein each said flexure strip is cantilevered out from said commonclamping point of the associated spring sheet and guide sheet memberthereof to present a free tip thereof operatively adjacent saidtranslation means, said tip comprising non-magnetic high durabilitymaterial adapted for thrust engagement with a respective one of saidrecording elements.

9. The combination as recited in claim 8 wherein each said flexure stripis composite being constructed of ferromagnetic material and ofrelatively strong structural material joined together to present anintegral magnetic spring strip.

10. The combination as recited in claim 6 wherein each said flexuremeans is fabricated to exhibit a prescribed high degree of flatness onengaging surfaces thereof; and wherein said guide sheet member iseffectively flattened to a conforming degree of flatness on portionsthereof engaging associated ones of said flexure means, said portionsbeing flattened according to a dimpling treatment.

11. The combination as recited in claim 6 wherein said guide means alsoincludes a second associated limit sheet member clamped in common witheach of said guide sheet members and with said associated flexure meanstherebetween on said frame means at first ends thereof, said limitmember being adapted to present the other end thereof adjacent saidreturn means to be engaged thereby for spacing a prescribed distancefrom said associated recording elements and wherein said guide sheetmember is arranged to present the other, free, end thereof adjacent theother, free end of said associated flexure means for stiffeningengagement therealong and is :also arranged to be notched for clearingassociated non-selected recording elements in said associated setthereof, each said associated flexure means being arranged to span arespective one of said notches.

12. The combination as recited in claim 6 wherein a substantiallyU-shaped clamp member is provided to so clamp each flexure means betweenassociated ones of said sheet members against said frame means tothereby establish said similar deflected curvature in all thereof,reliably.

13. The combination as recited in claim 11 wherein each pair of saidassociated sheet members are clamped between mating, beveled U-shapedclamp means; and wherein spacer means are disposed between said limitmember and said associated flexure means, having a prescribed thicknesssufficient to promote adequate separation of said flexure means fromeach of said members, each said clamp means comprising a pair ofU-shaped clamps beveled along a member-engaging surface thereof at aprescribed common angle with respect to said frame means to establishsaid prescribed curvature.

14. The combination as recited in claim 13 wherein said driven meanscomprise two rows of punches; wherein said frame means comprises a punchbail member, said rows of punches being arranged symmetrically aboutsaid bail frame; and wherein said flexure means comprise two sets offlexure strips, each set being clamped on one side of said bail so thatrespective flexure strips thereof are aligned to be selectively engagedwith respective ones of said punches for said thrusting thereof.

15. In an arrangement for selectively applying thrust impulses from agiven driving member, periodically reci rocating along a prescribeddrive path, to any of a plurality of prescribed record marking elementsspaced therefrom and adapted to be reciprocated along prescribed drivenpaths to prescribed marking positions, the combination therewith ofimproved interposer means arranged to selectively transmit said impulsesfrom said member to selected ones of said elements, said interposermeans comprising:

a plurality of non-frictional, constantly-flexed flexure means attachedat one end thereof to said driving member; bending means attached at oneend to said driving member to be deflected thereagainst in common withsaid flexure means whereby each said flexure means is biased to normallyassume a prescribed thrust condition in driving alignment with arespective one of said marking elements for thrusting engagementtherewith during reciprocation by said driving member, thus couplingsaid impulses along prescribed respective transmitting paths betweensaid driving and associated driven paths; translating means arranged toselectively displace the other, free end of each of said flexure meansout of said associated transmitting path and into a prescribed passivecondition; limit means attached to said driving member and adapted todefine said passive condition by limiting contact with said flexuremeans; and return means projecting from said driving member and engagedwith each of said marking elements for return thereof from said actuatedposition along with said driving member; said return means beingarranged in cooperative relation with said limiting means to establishthe position thereof.

16. An improved multi-punch arrangement for selectively thrustingselected ones in a plurality of aligned reciprocable punches, saidarrangement comprising: continually reciprocating bail means, aplurality of thrust fleX- are means carried on said bail means, eachbeing adapted to be non-frictionally, flexingly translated along aprescribed cross-sectional axis thereof and to apply force from saidbail means along a prescribed rigid elongate axis thereof to define arespective transmitting path; bending plate means coupling one end ofeach of said flexure means to said bail means and arranged to bedeflected in flexing engagement with each thereof for biasing thereofwith said elongate axis kept stiffened along said respectivetransmitting path to assume a force-transmitting condition; holdingmeans arranged operatively adjacent each said flexure means formaintaining the other free end thereof normally displaced along saidflexing cross-sectional axis, out of said transmitting-condition; aplurality of release means, each operatively disposed adjacent arespective one of said flexure means to selectively overcome saidholding means and release said free flexure end into said transmittingcondition at indicated punch times, said flexure means being bentflexingly so as to automatically return to said transmitting conditionwhen so released and engage said bending means so as to increase itsforce-transmitting capabilities along said transmitting path; andstripper means mounted to project from said bail means to so engage saidpunches as to return selected ones from punching actuation insynchronization with said bail means; said stripper means also beingadapted to determine the position of said flexure means in anontransmitting condition.

17. The combination as recited in claim 16 wherein said flexure meanseach comprise elongate strip extensions from a single stamped flexureplate; and wherein said bending plate means is slotted to receivenon-selected punches clearingly, said flexure strip extensionscomprising fingers, the free ends of which are arranged to gaprespective ones of said slots in said transmitting condition; saidpunches comprising two aligned sets thereof and said fiexure means andassociated bending plate means and stripper means being similarlyarrayed in two opposed sets, each set being aligned with one of saidpunch sets.

18. The combination as recited in claim 15 wherein said arrangementcomprises a high-speed punch assembly for selectively and encodinglyperforating data processing records in response to prescribedcharacter-encoded punch signals, said punch assembly comprising aperiodically reciprocating bail member; at least one array of alignedpunches, each being arranged to be selectively displaced along anassociated punch path in response to occurrence of associated ones ofsaid character signals; said bail member also including stripper meansprojecting therefrom to be periodically reciprocated in synchronismtherewith, said stripper means comprising a plurality of punchretractorheads disposed in alignment to be in retracting engagement withassociated ones of associated punches; an array of fiexure meansoperatively associated with each said punch array and mounted on saidbail member to be reciprocated therewith, said array comprising aplurality of aligned fiexures each being associated couplingly with :arespective one of said punches and comprising an elongate planar springmember pre-deflected to normally assume a first condition adapted forcoupling engagement with said associated one of said punches also beingadapted to be selectively flexed and translated out of said firstcondition into a second non-coupling condition; each said flexure arrayalso including a guiding sheet member associated deflectingly with saidfiexures, being clamped in common therewith against said bail means todeflect them together, conformingly and stiffeningly; and interposeractuator means comprising an array of actuator elements associated witheach said array of fiexure means, each element thereof being disposed inoperative relation with one of said flexures for selective translationthereof into said second condition responsive to occurrence of aprescribed one of said punch signals.

2'0 19. The combination as recited in claim 15 wherein said arrangementcomprises an improved high-speed recording apparatus for impressingcharacter information upon a record medium in response to applied recordsignals, said apparatus comprising:

a source of mechanical energy including drive means and a frame memberdriven thereby to be periodically translated along a prescribed drivepath; a plurality of displaceable recording elements each being adaptedto be selectively displaced along a prescribed respective record path toeffect said recordation in re sponse to occurrence of a prescribed oneof said signals; and interposer means for coupling said energyselectively to so displace selected ones of said recording elements,said interposer assembly including an array of flexure members, eachbeing adapted to so couple said energy between said paths along arespective intermediate coupling path and a translation unit disposed inoperative relation with said fiexure members and adapted to transducesaid prescribed ones of said signals for initiating said selectivedisplacing by moving selected ones of said flexure members into and outof said coupling path to thereby effect selective interposition ofcoupling means between said driving source and an associated recordingelement; said fiexure members being mounted on said frame member to bereciprocated therewith and each comprising a flexure member biasedfiexedly to normally assume a first configuration along said couplingpath, also being selectively, fiexingly, translatable by said associatedtranslation means into a second configuration out of said coupling path;said assembly also including pre-defiected guide means comprising ametallic sheet member deflected to conformingly engage and stiffen eachsaid array of flexure member into said first, normal configuration.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM S. LAWSON, PrimaryExaminer.

